Redirected from 64 bit
64-bit processor architectures include:
See also:
64-bit processors are quite common, e.g. Digital Alpha, versions of Sun SPARC, and the IBM AS/4000[?]. The PowerPC and Intel are expected to move to 64 bits at their next generation - PPC 620[?] and Intel's IA-64.
A 64-bit address bus allows the processor to address 18 million gigabytes as opposed to the mere 4 gigabytes allowed with 32 bits. Floating point calculations can also be more accurate.
Often mixed architectures are used: with 32-bit integer/addresses and 64-bit floats.
Taking full advantage of a 64-bit CPU requires a A 64-bit operating system, but backward-compatible architectures can also run a 32-bit OS. For example, processors based on the AMD Hammer architecture can run Intel x86 compatible software, whereas processors based on IA64 architecture need to use software emulation.
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